Paterno

Joe Posnanski's biography of the late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno follows in the tradition of works by Richard Ben Cramer on Joe DiMaggio and David Maraniss on Vince Lombardi. Having gained unprecedented access to Paterno, as well as the coach's personal notes and files, Posnanski spent the last two years of Paterno's life covering the coach, on (and off) the field and through the scandal that ended Paterno's legendary career.

Finally, a presentation of Joe Paterno as a real person, not as some mythological hero or satanic supporter of a child molester. That seems to be all you read in the press or from social media. The Author is masterful in his ability to capture all the individuals and their frame of mind in context with the chronology of external events. How did he do that? Regardless of where you think you stand on the Penn State issue, this book is a MUST read!

A heartfelt thank you to the author. Now, as Paterno would have said himself, it really doesn't matter what the media or NCAA says, or how many statues they tear down, or how many records are re-written by NCAA in the hateful aftermath of Sandusky, the real record of who this man was is HERE! It makes me feel at peace, knowing that it has been written down.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Uhhh, Paterno!

What about Joe Mantegna’s performance did you like?

FANTASTIC! His voice breaks at some points. It could be an act. But I don't think so. This book has some very emotional moments and Joe Mantegna does an excellent job of communicating that emotion - Bravo!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Wow! Many. But the Taliaferro section was especially moving. It really gets to the core of what Paterno was about. He personally took interest in his rehabilitation after the late 2000 injury. Interesting, too, that Paterno was concerned about this athlete during his recovery at just about the same time that Mcqueary was reporting the 2001 Sandusky abuse.

Any additional comments?

I wish we knew why it is so innate in human nature to tear down people who have simple and honest lives, like the Paternos. My Father admired Joe Paterno. But, not as a hero. Instead, just as a coach who maintained the standards of honesty, fair play, and hard work, similar to the same standards my Father grew up with, and helped him to survive WWII German pow camp. Now, seeing Joe Paterno treated the way he has been, really lowers my opinion of who we are, today. Granted the Sandusky abuses were horrific. But, we need to focus our punishment and vengeance more precisely, not causing so much collateral damage.

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